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View this Videotribute MRS. ROSITA CELESTE GUTIERREZ ELWELL DURHAM: On Friday, June 6, 2008, Rosita Celeste Gutierrez Elwell went to be with her Lord after years of failing health.
She was born in LaFayette, Indiana on August 13, 1927 to the late Margaret Nesbitt Gutierrez and the late Andrew Gutierrez; but she became a Chapel Hillian shortly thereafter. Rosita was the eldest girl of five siblings, the late Andrew Gutierrez, Jr., Joseph Gutierrez, the late Margaret Gutierrez Lancaster, and Laura Gutierrez Felton. As a girl, Rosita spent many happy hours playing violin and piano, reading, and reciting poetry. Rosita was among one of the first class of women to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, entering in 1944. Rosita met her husband, the late Robert (Bob) W. Elwell, in a Zoology class. Her name began with a “G” and his with an “E”, and fortunately for our family, there were no “F’s”. Rosita left school when she married on June 11, 1948. Shortly thereafter, she attended secretarial school. The couple moved to Danville, Virginia early in their marriage; and then they followed her father and family to Alexandria, Virginia where there were many more job opportunities. Rosita spent several years working with the National Weather Bureau before she secured a civilian secretarial position with the Department of Materiel Services of the U.S. Government. Rosita was commended annually for her superior performance. When she retired after 34 years and 10 months of service, she was awarded a medal of achievement. The couple had one son, Dr. Robert Elwell, Jr., whom they fondly referred to as “Buster” in 1950; and one daughter, Wendy Elwell, in 1966. Rosita always fondly stated that she had two “only children.” Rosita was mother to many others as well. She often took her little sister, Laura who was three years older than Buster along on family excursions to little league games, to Washington to sightsee, or on beach trips. Later on, she would become like a mother to Laura’s two children, Virginia Felton Davis, three years younger than Wendy, and Barnaby Felton. They would go on beach adventures, sightseeing, and toFourth of July fireworks together. And, there was nothing Rosita liked more than laying in bed with everyone and reading the Sunday funnies. Rosita was an excellent cook, loved houseplants, and amazed people with her skill of piano playing by ear. Many an evening was spent with Wendy playing the piano and singing the old songs. Rosita and Bob moved back to the Chapel Hill area in 1993 to be near their daughter. They attended Carolina football games, many NC State Fairs, and visited the North and South Carolina beaches. After her husband passed, Rosita lived with Wendy until she was forced to reside in a nursing home in February 2007 where her health failed even more quickly. Rosita was much loved by everyone. Even people who did not know her referred to her as a sweet lady. She loved to talk and tell stories and her family is comforted to know that they had so much quality time with her. She is lovingly survived by her daughter Wendy, her son “Buster,” and his wife Anne; 2 grandchildren, Shawna Elwell Croteau and husband, Todd; and Andrew Robert Elwell and wife Megan as well as two great-grandsons, Samuel Croteau and Eli Croteau and one great-granddaughter, Julianne Elwell. She is also survived by one sister Laura Gutierrez Felton, and one brother Joseph Gutierrez and his wife Nan, niece Virginia Felton Davis, husband Ed, and great-nephew Benjamin; and nephew Barnaby Felton, as well as numerous other relatives and friends. The Funeral Service will be held Tuesday 2 PM at Clements Funeral Chapel in Durham with Rev. Saeed Richardson officiating. Burial will follow at the Old Chapel Hill Cemetery. The Family will receive friends Monday evening from 7 to 9 PM at Clements Funeral Home in Durham. Rosita had a wonderful, kind heart and a true gift of the gab. Now her voice is silenced and we will miss that most of all.
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